Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's current liver disability and its relation to service exposure. The Veteran needs further testing and an examination to determine if he has a current liver disability related to his service.

The Veteran's COPD, emphysema, neck disability (claimed as neck spinal arthritis), thoracic compression fractures, liver condition (claimed as cirrhosis), skin cancer, shortness of breath, pulmonary embolisms, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, hypertension, and glaucoma are remanded for further evaluation due to exposure to herbicide agents at Fort McLellan.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's condition is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for Hepatitis C and eligibility for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis B due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of hepatitis C as secondary to his service-connected other trauma stress related disorder with unspecified depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking the hepatitis C to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his service, and the claim for secondary service connection of cirrhosis to hepatitis C is granted.,There is no evidence linking the bilateral eye condition to service. The Board finds that the Veteran's current ocular conditions are not due to in-service events.

The Veteran's kidney disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C. The Veteran also received SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a liver disorder, finding the evidence did not support a link to service or secondary to service-connected diabetes.,Service connection was also denied for cause of death due to hepatic encephalopathy, cirrhosis, and hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and migraine headache disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, other than dementia is denied. The effective date of service connection for hypertension associated with herbicide exposure is set at August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's hepatitis B was granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent prior to May 19, 2024, and a 20 percent rating from that date. The symptoms included intermittent fatigue and malaise.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, Hepatitis C and fatty liver, tinea versicolor with eczema, radiculopathy of the left and lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 3, 2020. The Board granted an earlier effective date for TDIU based on this evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids and service connection for an injury to the eyes (chemical, ink) was withdrawn. The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is granted at 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple organ failure, which the Board found to be related to service-connected liver disease and other conditions. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's hepatitis C may be related to service, but VA needs a more comprehensive opinion considering all reported risk factors. For hepatocellular carcinoma, VA needs an opinion on whether it is secondary to service-connected porphyria cutanea tarda.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for cirrhosis of the liver is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his hepatitis, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7354.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for Hepatitis C and Cirrhosis of the liver were dismissed due to procedural deficiencies. The claims of entitlement to service connection for arrhythmia, chronic kidney disease, and bilateral lower extremity non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's liver disease, including hepatitis B and/or C.